[ATM] Quartz blanks, and Pyrex source

[Mike Lockwood <melockwo@uiuc.edu>]

Hi,

Thanks very much for all the replies regarding the quartz blanks.  I 
will be investigating all the leads.

matt wrote:
> Which was the company that declined an order without even quoting first ?
> I'm interested in large and thin quartz/fused silica blanks too , so my
> question is not academic.

United Lens said they wouldn't be competitive on the other substrates. 
  Said their prices would be very high.  They are honest, and a good 
company to deal with for Pyrex (see below).

Jeff Baldwin wrote (off-list):
 > I don't have an answer for you, but I wanted to tough base with you
 > and ask your opinion on the best place to purchase 16" - 24" pyrex
 > blanks.

Without a doubt I have had GREAT luck with United Lens for Pyrex, and 
highly recommend them.  (They also seem to ship quite promptly, unlike 
other sources you may know of.)

Their quote for the 20" blanks in Pyrex was excellent.  I will share 
it (privately) if someone is seriously interested in a 20" F/3 Pyrex 
blank 1.25" thick, because the price per piece drops with increased 
quantity.

Looks like I will be getting some Pyrex blanks in addition to a 
possible quartz blank or two.  Also let me know privately if you're 
seriously interested in either substrate.  The 1.25" thickness was 
chosen to reduce weight and improve cooling, while being thick enough 
to work.  (I will be making several F/3 parabolas from these.)

To all those on the list, if you can go in with friends and meet the 
$125 minimum order, UL has much better prices on smaller molded blanks 
than a reseller like Wilmann-Bell.  They have a fixed price list for 
full-thickness molded blanks 16" and under and they will send it to 
you if you request it.  Just remember that above 10" or 12", thinner 
blanks may be quite a bit cheaper as they contain significantly less 
glass.

Please understand that if everyone gets 10 quotes and never buys 
anything they will probably be annoyed.  Get the quote when you are 
serious about it.

	Mike Lockwood

PS: It would be really cool if there was a simple web site where ATMs 
could post their glass "wish list" so that a larger "batch" of blanks 
could be ordered at one time, saving money.  I suspect the logistics 
would be difficult though, and there would be quite a bit of trust 
involved.

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